Purpose of the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation

The Sigma Pi Educational Foundation supports the educational pursuits of the Sigma Pi Fraternity and its membership. Among other things, the Educational Foundation provides for the Fraternity’s educational programs and leadership conferences; sponsors national, regional, and local leadership training events; and improves educational opportunities for deserving students through the awarding of grants and scholarships. Through these efforts, the Educational Foundation seeks to secure the future of Sigma Pi and the place of its members as the leaders of tomorrow.

The Educational Foundation relies entirely on donor support. Without the generosity of Sigma Pi alumni and friends, the Educational Foundation would be unable to fulfill its mission. As a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the United States Internal Revenue Code, gifts to the Educational Foundation are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.

History of the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation

The Sigma Pi Foundation was established in 1921 to provide permanent support for the Fraternity. The current Educational Foundation was organized in 1947 as successor to the Sigma Pi Foundation. Named the Byron R. Lewis Educational Foundation after its original benefactor Honorary Grand Sage Byron R. Lewis (Vincennes & Illinois, 1907), the Educational Foundation began with only a few hundred dollars. Brother Lewis recommended his original gift be used for a fund to support the educational pursuits of the Fraternity in perpetuity. He hoped his example would establish a tradition of giving among the alumni of Sigma Pi. Other alumni did indeed follow Brother Lewis’ example, and by 1970, assets surpassed $10,000. Ten years later, those assets had grown to over $150,000. In 1992, the assets topped the million dollar mark. Today, the fund, known as the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation, Inc., manages assets in excess of $2.6 million and provides annual support of over $100,000 in grants to the Fraternity for leadership training and in educational scholarships to its undergraduate members.

Endowments for Sigma Pi

Annual fund gifts to the Educational Foundation help fund MYLC, SPU, and similar programs from year-to-year. However, these resources must be secured at the same or higher level each and every year, leaving the programs at the mercy of the ebbs and flows of the economy as well as our ability to raise funds, which also varies from year-to-year.

An objective of the Educational Foundation is to create endowments for the MYLC and SPU, in the hopes to ensure the long-term stability and sustainability of these programs. Endowed funds under prudent management and investment would produce income capable of supporting the annual expenses of the programs. Growth of the endowments over time would allow for expansion and improvements to the already excellent programs.

Let there be no doubt that these endowments are important. For many of our young brothers, the personal and professional training they need to be truly successful men and leaders does not come just from their school work. It comes from their involvement in Sigma Pi. SPU and the MYLC reinforce Sigma Pi’s mission “to advance man’s quest for excellence”. Your gifts of support help us achieve that outcome.

These endowments are not a luxury but a necessity. As Foundation and Fraternity expenses increase every year along with the cost of fundraising, it is irresponsible to function in a manner that requires operating funds and educational expenditures to be raised in the same year they will be spent. Yet at the same time, we cannot afford to let programs like MYLC and SPU be neglected because of rising costs. The impact they have on our Fraternity and the young men who attend is just too great.

Support Matters

Every dollar given to the Educational Foundation is an investment in the future of our Fraternity and the young men who have and will pledge their lifelong loyalty to Sigma Pi.

Improving and expanding our educational programs will better position Sigma Pi and our members for growth and prosperity. Financial contributions will allow:

Immediate Impact – Your support goes to work right away

Affordable Options – Make a dramatic impact with a manageable monthly contribution

The Board of Trustees, elected by the members of the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation, manage the corporation.

Privacy Policy

One of the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation’s most important functions is to keep alumni and supporters connected to Sigma Pi and to each other. Consequently, the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation compiles both public and private information about alumni and supporters. This notice is to inform you of how the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation uses the information it collects and how you can limit that use.

The Sigma Pi Educational Foundation collects information about alumni and supporters from various sources:

Information the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation receives from its affiliates; and

Information the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation receives from alumni records, which are a matter of public

The Sigma Pi Educational Foundation’s database is for the sole use of the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation. It does not sell, rent, or trade alumni and supporter information with any organization that isn’t directly affiliated with the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation.

Sigma Pi Educational Foundation Affiliates

The Sigma Pi Educational Foundation works closely with Sigma Pi. It shares information openly with this organization.

The Sigma Pi Educational Foundation also has formed relationships with companies to provide certain services to alumni and supporters in order to generate revenue that finances the services that Sigma Pi and the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation provide to alumni, supporters, and students. The Sigma Pi Educational Foundation considers these companies’ practices regarding use of customer information and determines whether each company is a reputable, trustworthy organization before entering into a partnership.

These companies communicate directly with alumni and supporters to market products and services that they vend for Sigma Pi and the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation. For this purpose, the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation provides lists of names and addresses, with a detailed contract governing the use of these lists.

If you do not wish to be contacted by these companies, notify the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation as explained in the “Opt-Out Option” section of this page. The Sigma Pi Educational Foundation then will remove your name from these mailing lists. Please be aware that mailings often are prepared several weeks in advance of shipping. Although the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation will remove your name from circulation as quickly as possible, you may receive mailings for more than a month after requesting removal.

How Does The Sigma Pi Educational Foundation Use Contact Information?

The Sigma Pi Educational Foundation uses contact information to send alumni and supporters information about Sigma Pi and the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation and promotional materials. From time to time, the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation uses contact information for fundraising through telemarketing.

Opt-Out Option

The Sigma Pi Educational Foundation’s giving website offers you the opportunity to opt out of receiving communications from the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation and its partners. Alumni and supporters also can request the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation remove their information from its database, eliminate future communications, or no longer offer services by communicating these preferences to the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation by email, regular mail, or telephone:

Correct or Update Information

Alumni and supporters can notify the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation of corrections and updates to their information by email, regular mail, or telephone.

About Sigma Pi Educational Foundation

The Sigma Pi Educational Foundation supports the educational pursuits of the Sigma Pi Fraternity and its membership. Among other things, the Educational Foundation provides for the Fraternity’s educational programs and leadership conferences; sponsors national, regional, and local leadership training events; and improves educational opportunities for deserving students through the awarding of grants and scholarships. Through these efforts, the Educational Foundation seeks to secure the future of Sigma Pi and the place of its members as the leaders of tomorrow.